Photograph, Waddell & Son, Store, Beech Forest, c1950. waddell & son; store; beech forest; petrol bowser;

At the beginning of February 1903 a few men covered the district to see whether the time was ripe to form a Beech Forest branch of the Australian Natives Association. They were surprised at the response from intending members so they contacted the Colac branch who sent up some members as a follow-up. 51 said they would become benefit members and 5 would become honorary members. As a result on the 26 February 1903 a branch of the Australian Natives Association was established in Beech Forest. At a meeting where 40 people were present, Mr. T.M. Burke, the Victorian President, spoke to the meeting, outlining the aims, objects and benefits of the ANA and saying that the Victorian membership was 22,000. He then installed the several officers of the newly constituted Beech Forest branch. By August 1906 the Beech Forest branch membership was moving ahead with sixteen new members being proposed. Mr Fred Cookson was one of them, and he and the other new members were given their Certificates of Membership on the 14 November, 1906.Australian Natives Association, Certificate of Membership, certifying that Mr Fred Cookson of Beech Forest was elected a member of the Beech Forest Branch No.211 on the 14th day of November 1906. Signed by Arthur D. Freeman, President of the Association, and F.C. Wainwright, General Secretary.australian natives association; ana; beech forest;